How to Decorate a Construction Paper Turkey

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Things You'll Need

  • Construction paper

  • Colored pencils

  • Craft glue

  • Lid of plastic container

  • Craft feathers

  • Acrylic or finger paint

  • Foil gift wrap

  • Tissue paper

  • Black beads or craft eye beads

Turkeys are a favorite decoration for Thanksgiving crafts. Children love to decorate construction paper turkeys and then proudly display them on walls, doors, windows or the holiday table. A colorful display of paper turkeys can be whimsical or more realistic. You can also make paper turkeys to put on the fronts of greeting cards and mail the cards -- and your colorful turkeys -- to friends and family.

Advertisement

Paper Turkey

Step 1

Color a detailed line drawing of a turkey with colored pencils.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Cut feathers out of colored construction paper and glue them to the line drawing of a turkey. Cut the legs and feet out of a yellow piece of paper. Cut out a wattle from red construction paper. Glue everything to the construction paper turkey.

Advertisement

Step 3

Cut more feathers out of colored foil wrapping paper that has been saved for recycling. Layer these all over the turkey's tail.

Advertisement

Step 4

Cut out dozens of 1-inch squares of colored tissue paper. Squirt on to the plastic container lid. Place a pencil eraser end on the center of one of the squares. Wrap the square up around the eraser and dip the tissue wrapped eraser in to the glue. Place the glued tissue against the construction paper turkey, then twist the pencil and pull it up, leaving the tissue glued in place. Continue to fill the turkey body with fluffs of tissue.

Advertisement

Step 5

Squirt acrylic or finger paint onto a paper plate. Have your children press their thumbs into the paint and then place their thumbs on the the construction paper turkey to leave a colored thumbprint. Continue until the turkey is filled in.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Feathered Turkey

Step 1

Glue a layer of either brown, yellow, orange or green craft feathers on to the end of the tail. Make sure to keep the glue on the quill and center of the craft feather.

Advertisement

Step 2

Add a second layer of feathers. The top of the second layer should cover the bottom and quill ends of the first layer.

Advertisement

Step 3

Continue gluing layers of feathers until the entire tail is covered with a rainbow of color.

Step 4

Glue brown feathers from the shoulder to the ground for the turkey's wings. Glue beads to the turkey for his eyes.

Step 5

Cut two 1- to 2-inch vertical slits in the bottom of the turkey. Cut out a 5-inch long, 1- to 2-inch wide piece of construction paper. Fold it in half to make a V. Slide the ends of the V shaped paper into the slits to make a stand for the turkey.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

resources